investigated the area around creamery cans and broken stacks of hay bales. “Calvin?”
A horse nickered in reply. From a nearby stall, its black eyes glinted in the faint light. A white blaze of hair sloped from its forehead.
“Ellis, over here.” Lily’s urgent whisper pulled him to the only other stall in the barn. Beside her flashlight, set on the floor, was a small plate of crumbs and a Gold Shield Coffee can that reeked of urine. She was kneeling by a mounded blanket in the corner. Above the woolen fabric was a tuft of blond hair. “Calvin?” she said. “Is that you?”
Two large eyes gradually emerged. At the recognition of his small, round face, Ellis had trouble moving. Whether this was the boy’s nightly spot or a severe form of punishment, the situation was sickening.
“It’s all right, we’re here to help you.” Lily assumed a soothing maternal tone. “We’ll get you out of this awful place and take you somewhere safe. I can carry you out. Would you like that?” When he didn’t answer, she gently touched his shoulder. The contact sent him scrambling farther into the corner.
He didn’t know her, didn’t trust her.
Why in God’s name would he trust anyone?
Maybe it would help, though, if he recognized Ellis.
“Hey, Calvin. Remember me?” The words sounded clogged. Ellis cleared the emotion from his throat. He summoned what cheerfulness he could. “I’m the reporter friend of your mom. And your sister too.” Calvin’s brow conveyed interest, but just a trace through his wariness.
For years, Ellis had reveled in collecting details, seeking importance in the smallest of things. If ever again, he needed to do that now.
He mined his memory as he moved closer, one disarming step at a time. “You know, back in the summer, I bought all those flowers from Ruby. Remember that?” He could still see the dandelions in his head, bound and wilted by the sun.
Calvin watched him intently, scrutinizing; he was, after all, the skeptical sibling.
“And you were at the apple tree, hanging on the branches.” Ellis squatted beside Lily. “Your mama, she was doing the laundry. That’s the day I took a picture of you on the porch for the paper…” He nearly choked on the last bit, realizing how that very photo, his photo, had brought the child to this.
Lily joined back in. “I’m sure this is terribly confusing. But you being here, it was all a big mistake. Just know that your real family loves you. I swear they never stopped.” Her speed was increasing, a reminder that every minute in this place was a minute too long. “If you want to be with them again, you have to come with us. Okay, Calvin?” She tentatively reached for him, and he drew his head back as if her fingers were made of hot lead. “Calvin, please.” Tears entered her voice. She turned to Ellis.
If they just grabbed him and ran, they would risk his screaming. Not to mention traumatizing him even more. He was already recoiled in his blanket, the rim of his flashlight cresting the fabric.
What else could possibly comfort him? What would Geraldine tell them to do?
She’d hummed to Samuel once, to soothe him when he was sick. It was worth a try, but Ellis had to recall the right tune.
Was it “Clementine”? No…but it was a gal’s name.
Maybe “Oh! Susanna”?
Blasted. The melody echoed distantly in the hollow of his ears. He could almost catch the lyrics. About giving an answer and being half crazy…about a bicycle built for two…
It was “Daisy Bell.”
“You know, Cal, I bet your mama would hum a song to make you feel better. We could sing one of her favorites, you and me. Want to try?”
Not waiting, Ellis took the liberty of alternating his humming with the verses he knew. He probably was off-key and swapped a few words, but by the time he finished, a smile teased a corner of the boy’s mouth.
It was enough to give Ellis hope. “Ready to go see her?”
Calvin studied him for a long, strained moment. At last, he relented with a tiny nod, and Lily’s eyes moistened as she smiled.
“I’m gonna pick you up now,” Ellis said with only partial relief. “And we can all go on a car ride.” With care, he put his arms around Calvin, who didn’t pull away. Once the kid was in a secure hold, Ellis started to rise. But something clinked and yanked them back down.